Barry Dale Butler, 56, of Anacortes, died Thursday Nov.3, 2005, following a five year battle with cancer.
Barry was born in Sendai, Japan on July 15, 1949 on a U.S. Army base. As part of a military family, he traveled and lived in many parts of the U.S. and Germany. Barry graduated from Olympia High School in 1967. He earned a teaching degree from St. Martin’s College in Lacey, where he majored in English, and minored in Physical Education. He met and married his high school sweetheart, Jane, and that union produced his precious daughter, Tanya.
They were later divorced. During his lifetime, Barry held various positions, including 10 years as a counselor in Juvenile Corrections, where he worked with court-committed juvenile offenders; and a two-year stint working on yachts on Seattle’s Lake Union while living aboard his 37-foot Chris Craft power boat “The Baron”.
During this time he met his beloved Lana, and they married in 1983. Their son, Boone, was born in 1985. The family moved to Orcas Island in 1987. Barry was a substitute teacher and coached basketball for the local middle school. He also operated his own maintenance and repair business.
After 13 years on Orcas, the family moved to Anacortes. Barry became a vocational education teacher for Secret Harbor School, receiving much-deserved recognition and working there for four years until health reasons forced him to retire.
Fidalgo Community Church became Barry, Lana and Boone’s church home. Barry made a profession of his faith when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord on July 15, 2003 by being baptized in the bay at Washington Park. He loved the Lord and his many Christian friends from FCC in Anacortes and the Bridge in Oak Harbor. Their love, support and friendship made him a wealthy man. Although his body was sick with cancer, Barry reflected Christ’s strength.
Barry is survived by his wife, Lana; his son, Boone; his daughter, Tanya; two sisters, Vanessa and Valerie; his brothers, Bill, David and Joe; plus two nieces and six nephews.
His family and friends held a “Celebration of His Life” at Island View Elementary, 2501 “J” Avenue, in Anacortes on Nov. 12, 2005.
Arrangements are under the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes. Share memories of Barry and sign the on-line guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
Remembrances of my Beloved Husband
He loved the Lord…
He cherished his wife, son and daughter…
He loved watching his son become a man…
He marveled at the woman his daughter became…
He deeply loved both sides of his family…
A humble man…
Had joy in his heart…
Always had polished shoes and a clean car…
Passionate about his Mach 1…
Always carried a handkerchief (for damsels in distress)…
Pulled innocent “capers”…
Loved to laugh…
A good neighbor…
Enjoyed playing poker and smoking cigars with his buds…
A handyman…
Had lots of friends…
Enjoyed his music…
Liked to dance…
A mentor to teen-aged boys…
A great softball player…
A basketball coach…
An umpire…
Professional sports fan…
A gardener…
A gentleman…
Was a knight in shining armor who loved and protected his woman…
Knew his son has what it takes…
